Preceded by a “private enquiry,” there are now being held public hearings in New York City on the proposal to abolish the various bureaus of the Health Department of the City of New York. The excuse that is said to have been given by Mayor Hylan for this proposal is the excuse common to politicians—cutting down expenses! It would be just as rational to attempt to cut down expense by abolishing the street cleaning department and by discharging half the firemen and policemen in the metropolitan district.